Matt Gordon of Gordon Construction dismisses Winona LaDuke’s arguments to protect our waters by saying it’s just one person’s point of view ( "LaDuke asks right questions, but offers wrong answers," Opinion, May 20 ). The majority of Minnesotans share LaDuke’s passion to protect our water, and no amount of Enbridge bullying or palm grease will change that.
Whether you’re a hunter, swimmer, birder or fisher who enjoys clean lakes, streams and wetlands, be aware of Enbridge’s leaky track record. The company had two of the biggest crude oil spills in US history: the 1991 Grand Rapids, Minn., rupture (1.7 million gallons) and the 2010 Kalamazoo River spill (1 million gallons). All pipelines eventually leak. Line 3’s tar sands crude oil is especially dangerous. It’s diluted with toxic chemicals. It’s also heavy and sinks in water, making it nearly impossible to clean up. Spills threaten everything from wild rice and fish to drinking water.
Line 3’s proposed route would trench through 79 miles of wetlands and cross more than 200 streams and other waterbodies. Tell our legislators that the Land of 10,000 Lakes doesn’t need to roll the dice. Minnesota shouldn’t risk its most important asset for a few short-term jobs to bankroll Enbridge profits.
Clean energy is offering more permanent, high-paying jobs. Gordon Construction should look to the future.
Polly Daggett Andersen
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